Content Warning: Contains details of child sexual abuse.
The artwork of historic abuser John Middleditch was removed from Otago University campus on Friday, April 4th. The decision was made by Registrar Dr David Clark, advised by a six-person panel – including University staff, Māori and student representation, and sexual violence support and prevention expertise – that was formed following a student-led petition calling for the artwork’s removal.
Middleditch was convicted in 1976 of indecently assaulting at least eight girls between the ages of 8 and 11 years old. The disgraced artist’s Dunedin sculptures hit the headlines in February after the Dunedin Hospital apologised to one of his victims, a woman who had repeatedly asked for his work to be removed. But the hospital wasn’t the only site where his work was on display – eyes turned to the University’s since-removed sculpture that stood outside UniCol.
One of the loudest voices speaking out against the presence of Middleditch’s art on campus was Bee Brown, an Otago student who launched a petition on the 12th of March, campaigning for the University to get rid of the sculpture. “John Middleditch is a [convicted] child sex offender,” the petition stated. “Should we leave these sculptures to represent something we do not and should not promote?”
“As an art teacher who hosted lessons in his house, he took full advantage of being a teacher and a supposed ‘idol’ for the young girls, using their trust to groom them at their vulnerable age. Despite the harm caused, John Middleditch went on to be a successful and renowned sculptor with little consequence for his actions,” Bee explained in her petition. “Middleditch was only fined $800 for the lifetime of trauma he has imposed on the girls, now women, he assaulted during that time.”
When Bee launched the petition, she told Critic Te Ārohi that she thought it had potential to make an impact – but only if students backed it. Bee acknowledged it could be “daunting” to add your name to something of that nature. “But if we stand together in support of one another, we have the power to make an important difference to the lives of those who have survived Middleditch’s abuse. Sometimes there’s not always one right answer, but listening to the voices of those who have been subject to his abuse should hold great value in deciding how to go about this issue.”
380 people signed the petition. One signatory said in the petition’s comment section, “Dunedin is my hometown and the University of Otago is my University. I do not want to have any association with a man who has preyed on people like this. It is horrific.” They were firm in their position that the sculptures at the University and Hospital “need to be removed and scrapped.” Another signatory, PPE student Ian, told Critic he thought the sculpture was something the University “should probably look to remove” if it represented “the work and life of a man who used art as a means to take advantage of vulnerable women.”
Critic Te Ārohi had prompted the University for a response to the petition when Bee hadn’t heard anything back. David Clark responded that the University had formed a panel to review the artwork. OUSA President Liam White was onboard with the Uni’s response, saying that the committee was the “right way to go to ensure a wealth of voices are heard and [can come to] a really informed opinion.” A diplomatic response before adding it was a good step to review art from “a person that is as monstrous as John Middleditch.”
The University announced their decision in a press release last week: the sculpture was getting the boot. “Following thorough and careful consultation, the panel established to review the University of Otago’s ownership of artwork by John Middleditch has advised the removal of the sculpture, Eleven Bronze Rods Supporting Albatross Wingspan, from public display.”
“The panel feel that removing the sculpture aligns with the University’s public commitment to providing a safe environment, given the knowledge we have now about Mr Middleditch’s offending and convictions. Knowledge of this offending changes the nature of the relationship between the University community and the work concerned, and its removal from public display reflects a need to re-think the place that the work has in the University.”
Bee was “elated” at the news, expressing her gratitude to both the signatories of the petition and the University for hearing their voices: “Our voices were heard and you did an amazing thing. I can’t thank you enough.” Most importantly, she addressed the survivors who wanted the sculptures removed: “I want to express my apologies to the survivors of Middleditch’s indecent assaults. These types of incidents should never happen, full stop. Even worse, you were young girls who got taken advantage of, and for that I am so sorry. You are brave and important. You are finally being heard, and it is an important piece of the puzzle to finding peace in the midst of such a horrible situation. Often, sexual assault cases do not come to an ideal conclusion for the victims due to the lack of evidence or support in certain cases. I am honoured to have helped take part in this small win of justice for you.”
The panel will complete its final report in the coming weeks, and the University will review any further recommendations from them.